Orange-ish stains on vinyl or swimplatforms?

Welcome to the updated THT!
If you are having trouble signing in, please email feedback@thehulltruth.com with your username and we will help you. We thank you for your patience as we help you access the new site!

Orange-ish stains on vinyl or swimplatforms?

As we get into boating season, mystery stains are showing up on boats all over on vinyl upholstery and fiberglass swimplatforms (and other locations where guests may sit)

The cause is a compound found in many sunscreens and sunblocks.

A quality cleaner/degreaser will remove most of these stains quickly and easily, but treat them as soon as you notice them. Stains on fiberglass can be removed with our Instant Hull Cleaner or any other oxalic acid formulation. Bleach and muriatic acid are not suggested as they are very caustic, can harm sealife and pose a potential danger to the user if spilled or splashed. Our products (And those of other quality manufacturers) are engineered by highly-trained chemists to work well without causing damage.

I've found that the orange brownish stains I find on my boat everyday!...are coming from nearby palm trees that appear to be diseased. It happens when the wind direction blows from the trees towards the boat. I can wash them and knock down the intensity, but only a day or so of sun exposure will eliminate them.

Tannin stains from trees are definitely a problem in Florida. Our Instant Hull Cleaner removes them from fiberglass surfaces (such as when leaves blow into the boat and build up to create stains on the deck); I'd try Mildew Stain Remover to treat them on vinyl.

Tannin stains from trees are definitely a problem in Florida. Our Instant Hull Cleaner removes them from fiberglass surfaces (such as when leaves blow into the boat and build up to create stains on the deck); I'd try Mildew Stain Remover to treat them on vinyl.